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The authors undertook a systematic review of reviews of the impact of giving patients record access from both a patient and health care providers point of view. The review covers a broad range of outcome measures, including patient safety, patient satisfaction, privacy and security, self-efficacy, and health outcome.

Ten reviews covering chronic patients (eg, diabetes and hypertension) and primary care patients, as well as health care providers were found but eight were included for the analysis of outcome measures.

The authors found mixed outcomes across both patient and health care providers groups, with approximately half of the reviews showing positive changes with record access. Patients believe that record access increases their perception of control; however, outcome measures thought to create psychological concerns (such as patient anxiety as a result of seeing their medical record) are still unanswered. Nurses are more likely than physicians to gain time efficiencies by using a patient accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs) system with the main concern from physicians being the security of the PAEHRs.

The authors conclude that there is a lack of rigorous empirical testing that separates the effect of record access from other existing disease management programs. Current research is too targeted within certain clinical groups’ needs, and although there are positive signs for the adoption of PAEHRs, there is currently insufficient evidence about the effect of PAEHRs on health outcomes for patients or health care providers.